Coin controlled timer



r h 54 H. GREENWALD 2,672,969

COIN CONTROLLED TIMER Filed March 1, 1951 IN V EN TOR. HARRY GREENWALD ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 23, 1954 COIN CONTROLLED TIMER Harry Greenwald,

Robco Corporation, ration of New York Blauvelt, N. Y., assignor to New York, N. Y., a corpo- Application March 1, 1951 Serial No. 213,444 7 Claims. (01. 194-84) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in coin collecting devices used in combination with electric timers, and has more particular reference to a new connecting means between the coins and the timer.

It is proposed to characterize the new'connecting means by two adjacently positioned plates one of which is provided with a plurality of coin engaging edges. It is proposed that these plates be provided with overlapping coaxial openings, and means for adjustably connecting the plates in several different positions for controlling the extent of overlapping of said openings and for exposing a related number of the coin engaging edges in order to provide an exceptionally simple arrangement for adjusting the coin collecting device'for operation with one or a plurality of coins.

The invention also proposes the provision of a pin eccentrically and fixedly mounted on the cam shaft of the timer and engaging into the overlapping portions of th openings mentioned in the previous paragraph in order that motion may be transmitted from the coins to the cam shaft and from the cam shaft by operation of the timer to the plates.

Another object of this invention resides in providing friction means for frictionally holding the plates in relation to the cam shaft for providing a predetermined amount of play between the plate provided with the coin engaging edges and the cam shaft for facilitating operation of the connecting means for one or a plurality of coins.

' Another obicct of the invention is the construction of a device as described, which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects-and advantages thereof, reference-will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a coin collecting device with a new connecting means between the coins and timer constructed inaccordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-4 of Fig; 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical s line-3 3 of Fig.1. I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary :plan view looking in the direction of the line 4--4 of Fig. 2 and illustratctional view taken on the ins merely the superimposed plates and the parts cooperating therewith.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the friction washer used against the bottom one of the two superimposed plates.

The coin collecting device for an electric timer, in accordance with this invention, includes the cam shaft ID of the electric timer, not illustrated on the drawing. This cam shaft 10 is assumed to be driven clockwise by the electric timer and said cam shaft has a stop position, indicated by a small radial line labeled Stop in Fig. l, and a start position indicated by a small radial line labeled Start." In this specification and in the claims the axis of the shaft H3 will be used in defining the angular position of the parts in relation to each other. For example, parts positioned angular distances clockwise of other parts will be referred to as located to the front of the latter-mentioned parts. The start position of said cam shaft is a small angular distanc to the front of the stop" position, meaning that the start position is a small angular distance clock- Wise of the stop position. A pin l l is eccentrically and fixedly mounted on the cam shaft [0. More particularly, the cam shaft I0 is formed with a disc-like top portion l2 upon which the pin I l is eccentrically mounted with its axis parallel to the axis of the shaft ID.

A base plate I3 is positioned at right angles to and is turnably mounted on the cam shaft l0 and is formed with a coaxial opening l4 engaging upon said pin l I. The disc-like top portion I2 is formed with a central cylindrical projection l5 coaxial of the cam shaft to. The base plate i3 is turnably mounted on this cylindrical projection IS. The base plate i3 is disc-like in form except forthe fact that it is formed with sev eral cutouts forming severalradiating fingers l6 and H. The base plate i3 is also provided with a plurality of coin engaging edges l8, l9 and 20 which may be moved by coins for turning the base plate 13 so that the back end (counterclockwise) of the coaxial opening l4 engages said pin H and is capable of moving said cam shaft I0 from its stop position to its "start position.

A cover plate H is in face contact with said base plate l3 and is also coaxially turnably mounted on the cam shaft ill. More particularly, this cover plate 2| has a. hub portion 22 formed with an opening by which it is engaged upon the cylindrical projection l5 of the disc-like top portion l2. The cover plate 2| is disc-like in form.

except for the fact that it extends through an angular distance of about 180. The cover plate 2| is also formed with a coaxial opening 23 having a front part (its clockwise end) which is superimposed on the back part of said first named coaxial opening M. This coaxial opening 23 also engages upon the pin in order that said pin I may engage the front end of said second named coaxial opening 23 when said cam shaft I is turned forwards by said electric timer, not illustrated.

The base plate l3 and cover plate 2| are housed by a casing 24. This casing has a base section 25 and a cover section 26 mounted on the base section with several screws 21. The casing 24 is provided with a coin receiving slot 28 and a coin discharge 23 spaced forwards from said receiving slot 28. The base section 25 is formed with an opening 33 through which the cam shaft 10, passes.

Within the casing 24 there is a means for receiving coins inserted into said receiving slot 28. This means is manually movable for moving said coins along a path in which said coins will enter said coin discharge 29 and in which said coins engage said coin engaging edges |8, Hi and 20, or one or more of these edges before entering said coin discharge 29. The coins will turn said base plate l3 in order that the back end of said first named coaxial opening M will move said pin II and turn said cam shaft H! to its starting position.

This means for receiving and moving the coins includes a stem 3| turnably mounted through the cover section 26 coaxial with the cam shaft Ill. The outer end of the stem 3| is provided with a knob 32 by which it may be turned. A disc 33 is attached upon the inner end of the stem 3| and is superimposed above the base plate l3 and cover plate 2|. This disc 33 has a coin receiving slot 34 which may be aligned with the coin receiving slot 28. Coin support members 35 and 36 are mounted upon the bottom face of the disc 33 adjacent the adjacent sides of the cam receiving slot 34. These coin support members 35 and 36 are capable of supporting an inserted coin in an upright position upon the top face of the base section 25. A pin 31 is mounted upon the cover section 25 and forms a stop against which the coin support member 36 may engage when the knob 32 is turned counter-clockwise in order to align the coin receiving slot 34 with the coin receiving slot 28. Another pin 38 is mounted upon the cover section 23 at a location to the front of the coin support member 35 to form a stop for the coin supporting member 35 at a position in which the disc 33 is turned clockwise to a point in which the coin receiving slot 34 is over the coin discharge 29 so that the coin between the coin sup port coin discharge 23. The disc 33 is provided with still another coin supporting member 39 for engaging against one edge of the vertically positioned coin which is supported by the members and 35 to assist in supporting it in this position.

The base plate l3 and cover plate 2| are associated with means by which they may be secured together in selected rotative positions. This means includes a screw 40 and nut 49 mounted through the base plate l3, the head of the screw 40 being engageable in selected notches 4|, 42 and 43 formed along the outer edge portion of the coaxial opening 23. The cover plate 2| is adapted to be positioned on the base'plate'l3 to cover one or more of said plurality of coin engaging edges" members 35 and 36 is free to fall into the 76 its stop position. This prevents a person from of the coaxial opening l8, l9 and 20 of said base plate |3. As illustrated on the drawing the cover plate 2| is merely covering the coin engaging edge Hi. The coin engaging edges l9 and 20 are exposed and may be engaged by coins inserted into the coin collecting device. The purpose of the three notches 4|, 42 and 43 is to correspond with the three possible positions of the cover plate 2| for exposing all three of the coin engaging edges l8, l9 and 23, or merely two of these edges, or one of these edges. Simultaneously, with the adjustment of the cover plate 2| on thebase plate l3 the extent of overlapping of the coaxial openings l4 and 23 varies in direct proportion to the number of coin engaging edges l8, l3 and 20 exposed in order to determine the number of coins to be engaged in said coin collecting devices before the back end M of said base plate |3 engages the pin l! and moves said cam shaft H] from its stop to its starting position.

The base plate i3 is frictionally held upon the camshaft ID by means characterized by a friction washer 44 which comprises merely a spring steel washer slightly arched from a true flat position. This washer 44 is engaged between the base plate l3 and the disc portion |2 of the cam shaft H1. The washer 44 has a notch 45 through which the pin passes. The washer 44 is engaged upon the cylindrical projection l5. A clamp screw 46 is mounted coaxially on the cylindrical projection l5 and engages against the cover plate 2| and provides the necessary pressure for flattening out the arched washer 44 and in this way providing frictional resistance for frictionally holding the base plate l3 on the cam shaft It.

The base plate I3 is associated with means for releasably holding said base plate |3 immediately upon said cam shaft ||l reaching its starting position in order that said electric timer may turn said cam shaft H] to a position in which said pin engages the front end of the coaxial opening 23 in said cover plate 2| in order that now said electric timer may turn said base plate |3 until said cam shaft l3 again reaches its stopposition. This means for resiliently releasably holding said base plate l3 includes a resiliently mounted button 48 mounted upon the top face of the base section 25 and engageable with the nut 49 upon the bottom of the screw 40. This nut 49 is tapered in frusto-conical fashion. The projecting stem of the resiliently mounted button 48 is rounded and intended to engage the tapered nut 49. The button 48 is urged upwards by a spring 50 housed within a cavity 5| formed in the base section 25. The arrangement is such that when the cam shaft |El reaches its start position the nut 49 will have reached the resiliently mounted button 48. The electric timer now starts turning the cam shaft Iii forwards, but the base plate |3remains stationary until the pin H is moved to'a position to engage thefront end of the coaxial opening 23.

The cover plate 2| has one corner cut off to form an inclined edge 52. This inclined edge 52 is for the purpose of assisting a coin which is being moved by the coin receiving means to mount the cover plate 2| from a position on the base plate |3. The base plate l3 and cover plate 2| form a platform for supporting a coin dropped through the coin receiving openings 28 and 34 while the coin collecting device is in a position in which the timer is operating. A coin so dropped will be supported by the over late 2| until the cam shaft H1 again-reaches base plate l3 and the losing a coin placed into the coin collecting device after it has received the necessary number of coins to start the timer working. The inclined edge 52 avoids hitting the coin radially 0f the cam shaft l0 and for this reason cams or lifts the coin up so that it mounts the cover plate 2| from the base plate i3 while the means for receiving coins is being manually turned after the electric timer has started.

The operation between the coins and the timer may be understood from the following:

As illustrated on the drawing the connecting means is set to receive two coins. It is illustrated in Fig. 1 in a position in which the cam shaft I D is in its stop position the device is ready to receive the first coin. The coin is dropped through the slots 28 and 3 1 and comes to rest on the top of the base section 25. The knob 32 is now turned clockwise until the coin support member 35 strikes the stop pin 38. During this motion the coin will engage the coin engaging edge I 9 and turn the base plate 53 through an angular distance in which the back end of the coaxial opening i l now engages the eccentric pin ll. However, the cam shaft it was not turned up to this point of operation.

The knob 32 must now be turned back to its initial position and a second coin inserted through the slots 28 and 3 This second coin will now engage the coin engaging edge 23. The knob 32 is now turned clockwise so that the second coin turns the base plate l3 through a certain angular distance and moves the pin H from the stop position of the cam shaft it to the start position of the cam shaft I ll. The electric timer now starts operating, rotating the cam shaft I U clockwise. However, the base plate 53 remains stationary because the projection. or nut 49 is now engaging the resiliently mounted button 48. The pin it moves along with the cam shaft it until it strikes the front end of the coaxial opening 23. Now the electric timer is capable of forcing the projection or nut 49 past the resiliently mounted button 48 and the base plate I3 starts turning. This turning action continues until the cam shaft it again reaches the stop position.

The connecting means between the coins and the timer may be varied for a one coin operation or a three coin operation by merely loosening the screw 30 and nut 49 and resetting the relative positions of the cover plate 25 and base plate l3 so as to expose either the last one of the coin engaging edges 28, or two or engaging edges l8, l9 and it. This adjustment simultaneously changes the extent of overlap of the coaxial openings it and 23. In the one coin operation of the device the overlap of the coaxial openings l4 and 23 will be theoretically zero, that is, the pin II will be simultaneously engaging the back end of the opening it and the front end of the opening In the three coin oper tion the overlap of the openings 23 and it will be 100%, requiring the base plate 5 3 to be moved three times by coins to move the cam shaft it from its stop to its start position.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I of the new connecting means 4 all three of the coin claim as new and desire to secure bytllnited States Letter Patent is:

1. A coin collecting device for an electric timer having a vertical cam shaft having a stop position, and a starting position a small angular distanoeto the front of said stop position, and said cam shaft being driven forwards upon reaching said starting position until it reaches said stop position, comprising said cam shaft, a pin eccentrically and fixedly mounted on said cam shaft, a base plate positioned at right angles to and turnably mounted coaxially on said cam shaft, a base section below the base plate rotatably receiving said cam shaft, a casing engaging over said base plate and having a coin receiving slot, a coin discharge slot in the base section, said slots positioned equal radial distances R from said cam shaft, said discharge slot being located X degrees angularly forwards of said coin receiving slot, said base plate having a plurality of coin engaging edges spaced X degrees from each other and positioned radial distances R frcm said cam shaft, a cover plate in face contact with said bas plate and coaxially turnably mounted on said cam shaft for selectively covering one or more of said coin engaging edges, said base plate and cover plate having overlapping coaxial openings engaging upon said pin with the pin normally abutting the front end of the cover plate opening, means for securing said base plate and cover plate together in selected relatively turned positions for covering one or more of said coin engaging edges and simultaneously varying the extent of overlapping of said coaxial openings in direct proportion to the number of coin engaging edges covered, the front end engaging edges is uncovered, and said ends of said coaxial openings being spaced X degrees apart when two of said coin engaging edges are uncovered, and said ends of said openings being spaced 2X degrees apart when three of said coin engaging edges are uncovered, means for receiving coins inserted into said receiving slot and manually movable for moving said coins along a path of R radius in which said coins enter said coin discharge and in which said coins engage pin and move said cam shaft from its stop to its start position, and means for resiliently releasably holding said base plate stationary in relation to said casing so that it requires a little force to turn said base plate in order that said base plate will remain stationary immediately after said shaft reaches its start position until said pin engages the front end of the coaxial opening in said cover plate.

2. A coin collecting device as defined in claim 1, including a disc mounted on said cam shaft, and said pin being eccentrically mounted on said disc.

3. A coin collecting device as defined in claim 1, in which said base plate has several radially projecting arms, the back edges of which comprise said coin engaging edges.

4. A coin collecting device as defined in claim 1, in which said means for securing said base plate and said cover plate together comprises a, headed element mounted on said base plate, and notches in said cover plate engageable with the head of said headed element in said selected relatively turned positions of said base plate and cover plate.

5. A coin collecting device as defined in claim 1, in which said means for resiliently releasably holding said base plate, comprises a projection .from said bas plate, and a stationary resiliently mounted holding button engaging said projection.

6. A coin collecting device as defined in claim 1, including means for creating frictional resistance to turning said base plate relative to said cam shaft.

7. A coin collecting device as defined in claim 6, including a disc mounted on said cam shaft,

base plate.

HARRY GREENWALD.

No references cited. 

